Fundamental validation of the finite volume particle method for 3D sloshing dynamics

The use of the finite volume particle (FVP) method is validated for three‐dimensional sloshing dynamics with a free surface by comparing with results from experiments. In the first part, two typical sloshing experiments for a single liquid phase are simulated, and slosh characteristics that include the free surface behavior and hydrodynamic pressure are reported. Moreover, the influences of the circular wall geometry and spatial resolution in the simulation are studied in a sensitivity analysis. In the second part, two sloshing problems with solid bodies are simulated to preliminarily verify the applicability of the FVP method to three‐dimensional solid bodies' motion in liquid flow. Good agreement between simulations and corresponding experiments indicates that the present FVP method well reproduces three‐dimensional sloshing behavior. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A hybrid scheme based on finite element/volume methods for two immiscible fluid flows

We have successfully extended our implicit hybrid finite element/volume (FE/FV) solver to flows involving two immiscible fluids. The solver is based on the segregated pressure correction or projection method on staggered unstructured hybrid meshes. An intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the momentum equations with the matrix‐free implicit cell‐centered FV method. The pressure Poisson equation is solved by the node‐based Galerkin FE method for an auxiliary variable. The auxiliary variable is used to update the velocity field and the pressure field. The pressure field is carefully updated by taking into account the velocity divergence field. This updating strategy can be rigorously proven to be able to eliminate the unphysical pressure boundary layer and is crucial for the correct temporal convergence rate. Our current staggered‐mesh scheme is distinct from other conventional ones in that we store the velocity components at cell centers and the auxiliary variable at vertices. The fluid interface is captured by solving an advection equation for the volume fraction of one of the fluids. The same matrix‐free FV method, as the one used for momentum equations, is used to solve the advection equation. We will focus on the interface sharpening strategy to minimize the smearing of the interface over time. We have developed and implemented a global mass conservation algorithm that enforces the conservation of the mass for each fluid. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A finite volume scheme for solving anisotropic diffusion on ALE‐AMR grids

In the context of High Energy Density Physics and more precisely in the field of laser plasma interaction, Lagrangian schemes are commonly used. The lack of robustness due to strong grid deformations requires the regularization of the mesh through the use of Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methods. Theses methods usually add some diffusion and a loss of precision is observed. We propose to use Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) techniques to reduce this loss of accuracy. This work focuses on the resolution of the anisotropic diffusion operator on Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian‐AMR grids. In this paper, we describe a second‐order accurate cell‐centered finite volume method for solving anisotropic diffusion on AMR type grids. The scheme described here is based on local flux approximation which can be derived through the use of a finite difference approximation, leading to the CCLADNS scheme. We present here the 2D and 3D extension of the CCLADNS scheme to AMR meshes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hybrid finite element/volume method for 3D incompressible flows with heat transfer

An implicit hybrid finite element (FE)/volume solver has been extended to incompressible flows coupled with the energy equation. The solver is based on the segregated pressure correction or projection method on staggered unstructured hybrid meshes. An intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the momentum equations with the matrix-free implicit cell-centred finite volume (FV) method. The pressure Poisson equation is solved by the node-based Galerkin FE method for an auxiliary variable. The auxiliary variable is used to update the velocity field and the pressure field. The pressure field is carefully updated by taking into account the velocity divergence field. Our current staggered-mesh scheme is distinct from other conventional ones in that we store the velocity components at cell centres and the auxiliary variable at vertices. The Generalized Minimal Residual (GMRES) matrix-free strategy is adapted to solve the governing equations in both FE and FV methods. The presented 2D and 3D numerical examples show the robustness and accuracy of the numerical method.     

Lagrangian formulation for finite element analysis of quasi‐incompressible fluids with reduced mass losses

We present a Lagrangian formulation for finite element analysis of quasi‐incompressible fluids that has excellent mass preservation features. The success of the formulation lays on a new residual‐based stabilized expression of the mass balance equation obtained using the finite calculus method. The governing equations are discretized with the FEM using simplicial elements with equal linear interpolation for the velocities and the pressure. The merits of the formulation in terms of reduced mass loss and overall accuracy are verified in the solution of 2D and 3D quasi‐incompressible free‐surface flow problems using the particle FEM ( www.cimne.com/pfem ). Examples include the sloshing of water in a tank, the collapse of one and two water columns in rectangular and prismatic tanks, and the falling of a water sphere into a cylindrical tank containing water. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characteristic-based finite volume scheme for 1D Euler equations

In this paper, a high-order finite-volume scheme is presented for the one- dimensional scalar and inviscid Euler conservation laws. The Simpson＇s quadrature rule is used to achieve high-order accuracy in time. To get the point value of the Simpson＇s quadrature, the characteristic theory is used to obtain the positions of the grid points at each sub-time stage along the characteristic curves, and the third-order and fifth-order central weighted essentially non-oscillatory （CWENO） reconstruction is adopted to estimate the cell point values. Several standard one-dimensional examples are used to verify the high-order accuracy, convergence and capability of capturing shock.     

Characteristic-based finite volume scheme for 1D Euler eouations

In this paper, a high-order finite-volume scheme is presented for the one-dimensional scalar and inviscid Euler conservation laws. The Simpson's quadrature rule is used to achieve high-order accuracy in time. To get the point value of the Simpson's quadrature, the characteristic theory is used to obtain the positions of the grid points at each sub-time stage along the characteristic curves, and the third-order and fifth-order central weighted essentially non-oscillatory (CWENO) reconstruction is adopted to estimate the cell point values. Several standard one-dimensional examples are used to verify the high-order accuracy, convergence and capability of capturing shock.     

A surface remeshing technique for a Lagrangian description of 3D two‐fluid flow problems

Classical Lagrangian schemes applied to update the front position between two immiscible incompressible fluids have been long recognized to provide a sharp representation of the interface. However, the main drawback of these approaches is the progressive distortion in the distribution of the markers used to identify the material front. To avoid this problem, a 3D interface remeshing algorithm is proposed in this work. In addition, the remeshed front is enforced to preserve the global volume. These aspects are incorporated in an existing fluid dynamics formulation for the analysis of two‐fluid flows problems. The resulting formulation, called as the 3D‐moving Lagrangian interface remeshing technique, is applied in the numerical analysis of two‐fluid flow problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 3D staggered Lagrangian scheme for ideal magnetohydrodynamics on unstructured meshes

In this paper, we propose a 3D staggered Lagrangian scheme for the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) on unstructured meshes. All the thermal variables and the magnetic induction are defined in the cell centers while the fluid velocity is located at the nodes. The meshes are compatibly discretized to ensure the geometric conservation laws in Lagrangian computation by the classical subcell method, then the momentum equation is discretized using the subcell forces and the specific internal energy equation is obtained by the total energy conservation. Invoking the Galilean invariance, magnetic flux conservation, and the thermodynamic consistency, the expressions of subcell force as well as the cell-centered velocity are derived. Besides, the magnetic divergence-free constraint is fulfilled by a projection method after each time step. Various numerical tests are presented to assert the robustness and accuracy of our scheme.     

A mixed finite element/finite volume approach for solving biodegradation transport in groundwater

A numerical model for the simulation of flow and transport of organic compounds undergoing bacterial oxygen- and nitrate-based respiration is presented. General assumptions regarding microbial population, bacteria metabolism and effects of oxygen, nitrogen and nutrient concentration on organic substrate rate of consumption are briefly described. The numerical solution techniques for solving both the flow and the transport are presented. The saturated flow equation is discretized using a high-order mixed finite element scheme, which provides a highly accurate estimation of the velocity field. The transport equation for a sorbing porous medium is approximated using a finite volume scheme enclosing an upwind TVD shock-capturing technique for capturing concentration-unsteady steep fronts. The performance and capabilities of the present approach in a bio-remediation context are assessed by considering a set of test problems. The reliability of the numerical results concerning solution accuracy and the computational efficiency in terms of cost and memory requirements are also estimated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Concurrent use of finite element and finite volume methods for shallow water flows in locally 1‐D channel networks

A numerical model is developed for shallow water equation in locally 1‐D channel networks. The model concurrently uses the standard Galerkin finite element method for the continuity equation and the finite volume method with an upwind scheme for the momentum equation. The surface gradient method is consistently employed. A minimum treatment is given for channel junctions so that application to multiply connected channels do not require any special consideration The model is capable of computing different types of transcritical flows, wet and dry flows, and flows with complex source terms. Standardized test problems and laboratory experimental data are used for verifying the model. Applicability of the models is validated in a multiply connected channel network draining hydromorphic farmlands located in a West African savanna, and Manning's roughness coefficient is identified, so that the steady solution is consistent with field observations. Unsteady simulation demonstrates that the model is capable of stably reproducing shifts of hydraulic jumps in flows of sub‐millimeter water depths. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A semi-implicit finite volume scheme for a simplified hydrostatic model for fluid-structure interaction

Simulating fluid-structure interaction problems usually requires a considerable computational effort. In this article, a novel semi-implicit finite volume scheme is developed for the coupled solution of free surface shallow water flow and the movement of one or more floating rigid structures. The model is well-suited for geophysical flows, as it is based on the hydrostatic pressure assumption and the shallow water equations. The coupling is achieved via a nonlinear volume function in the mass conservation equation that depends on the coordinates of the floating structures. Furthermore, the nonlinear volume function allows for the simultaneous existence of wet, dry and pressurized cells in the computational domain. The resulting mildly nonlinear pressure system is solved using a nested Newton method. The accuracy of the volume computation is improved by using a subgrid, and time accuracy is increased via the application of the theta method. Additionally, mass is always conserved to machine precision. At each time step, the volume function is updated in each cell according to the position of the floating objects, whose dynamics is computed by solving a set of ordinary differential equations for their six degrees of freedom. The simulated moving objects may for example represent ships, and the forces considered here are simply gravity and the hydrostatic pressure on the hull. For a set of test cases, the model has been applied and compared with available exact solutions to verify the correctness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The model is able to treat fluid-structure interaction in the context of hydrostatic geophysical free surface flows in an efficient and flexible way, and the employed nested Newton method rapidly converges to a solution. The proposed algorithm may be useful for hydraulic engineering, such as for the simulation of ships moving in inland waterways and coastal regions.     

A finite volume cell‐centered Lagrangian hydrodynamics approach for solids in general unstructured grids

A finite volume cell‐centered Lagrangian hydrodynamics approach, formulated in Cartesian frame, is presented for solving elasto‐plastic response of solids in general unstructured grids. Because solid materials can sustain significant shear deformation, evolution equations for stress and strain fields are solved in addition to mass, momentum, and energy conservation laws. The total stress is split into deviatoric shear stress and dilatational components. The dilatational response of the material is modeled using the Mie‐Grüneisen equation of state. A predicted trial elastic deviatoric stress state is evolved assuming a pure elastic deformation in accordance with the hypo‐elastic stress‐strain relation. The evolution equations are advanced in time by constructing vertex velocity and corner traction force vectors using multi‐dimensional Riemann solutions erected at mesh vertices. Conservation of momentum and total energy along with the increase in entropy principle are invoked for computing these quantities at the vertices. Final state of deviatoric stress is effected via radial return algorithm based on the J‐2 von Mises yield condition. The scheme presented in this work is second‐order accurate both in space and time. The suitability of the scheme is evinced by solving one‐ and two‐dimensional benchmark problems both in structured grids and in unstructured grids with polygonal cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A divergence-free semi-implicit finite volume scheme for ideal,viscous, and resistive magnetohydrodynamics

In this paper, we present a novel pressure-based semi-implicit finite volume solver for the equations of compressible ideal, viscous, and resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The new method is conservative for mass, momentum, and total energy, and in multiple space dimensions, it is constructed in such a way as to respect the divergence-free condition of the magnetic field exactly, also in the presence of resistive effects. This is possible via the use of multidimensional Riemann solvers on an appropriately staggered grid for the time evolution of the magnetic field and a double curl formulation of the resistive terms. The new semi-implicit method for the MHD equations proposed here discretizes the nonlinear convective terms as well as the time evolution of the magnetic field explicitly, whereas all terms related to the pressure in the momentum equation and the total energy equation are discretized implicitly, making again use of a properly staggered grid for pressure and velocity. Inserting the discrete momentum equation into the discrete energy equation then yields a mildly nonlinear symmetric and positive definite algebraic system for the pressure as the only unknown, which can be efficiently solved with the (nested) Newton method of Casulli et al. The pressure system becomes linear when the specific internal energy is a linear function of the pressure. The time step of the scheme is restricted by a CFL condition based only on the fluid velocity and the Alfvén wave speed and is not based on the speed of the magnetosonic waves. Being a semi-implicit pressure-based scheme, our new method is therefore particularly well suited for low Mach number flows and for the incompressible limit of the MHD equations, for which it is well known that explicit density-based Godunov-type finite volume solvers become increasingly inefficient and inaccurate because of the more and more stringent CFL condition and the wrong scaling of the numerical viscosity in the incompressible limit. We show a relevant MHD test problem in the low Mach number regime where the new semi-implicit algorithm is a factor of 50 faster than a traditional explicit finite volume method, which is a very significant gain in terms of computational efficiency. However, our numerical results confirm that our new method performs well also for classical MHD test cases with strong shocks. In this sense, our new scheme is a true all Mach number flow solver.     

A finite volume method for numerical grid generation

A novel method to generate body‐fitted grids based on the direct solution for three scalar functions is derived. The solution for scalar variables ξ, η and ζ is obtained with a conventional finite volume method based on a physical space formulation. The grid is adapted or re‐zoned to eliminate the residual error between the current solution and the desired solution, by means of an implicit grid‐correction procedure. The scalar variables are re‐mapped and the process is reiterated until convergence is obtained. Calculations are performed for a variety of problems by assuming combined Dirichlet–Neumann and pure Dirichlet boundary conditions involving the use of transcendental control functions, as well as functions designed to effect grid control automatically on the basis of boundary values. The use of dimensional analysis to build stable exponential functions and other control functions is demonstrated. Automatic procedures are implemented: one based on a finite difference approximation to the Cristoffel terms assuming local‐boundary orthogonality, and another designed to procure boundary orthogonality. The performance of the new scheme is shown to be comparable with that of conventional inverse methods when calculations are performed on benchmark problems through the application of point‐by‐point and whole‐field solution schemes. Advantages and disadvantages of the present method are critically appraised. Copyright © 1999 National Research Council of Canada.     

Development and testing of a simple 2D finite volume model of sub‐critical shallow water flow

Many environmental applications of shallow water flow modelling can be characterized as only slowly varying and everywhere sub‐critical. A simplified finite volume model is therefore developed that is capable of describing pertinent shallow water flow processes more efficiently than the usual Godunov/ Riemann characteristics approaches. The model is tested against a number of analytical and numerical solutions to the governing equations. The model reproduces accurately flow round a circular bend, flow over topography, flow up an initially dry beach and floodwave propagation down a meandering river reach, with mass conservative solutions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A mesh patching method for finite volume modelling of shallow water flow

A new mesh‐patching model is presented for shallow water flow described by the 2D non‐linear shallow water (NLSW) equations. The mesh‐patching model is based on AMAZON, a high‐resolution NLSW engine with an improved HLLC approximate Riemann solver. A new patching algorithm has been developed, which not only provides improved spatial resolution of flow features in particular parts of the mesh, but also simplifies and speeds up the (structured) grid generation process for an area with complicated geometry. The new patching technique is also compatible with increasingly popular parallel computing and adaptive grid techniques. The patching algorithm has been tested with moving bores, and results of test problems are presented and compared to previous work. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A monotone finite volume scheme for advection–diffusion equations on distorted meshes

A new monotone finite volume method with second‐order accuracy is presented for the steady‐state advection–diffusion equation. The method uses a nonlinear approximation for both diffusive and advective fluxes that guarantee the positivity of the numerical solution. The approximation of the diffusive flux is based on nonlinear two‐point approximation, and the approximation of the advective flux is based on the second‐order upwind method with proper slope limiter. The second‐order convergence rate for concentration and the monotonicity of the nonlinear finite volume method are verified with numerical experiments. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A moving mesh BGK scheme for multi‐material flows

In this paper, a moving mesh BGK scheme (MMBGK) for multi‐material flow computations is proposed. The basic idea of constructing the MMBGK is to couple the Lagrangian method, which tracks material interfaces and keeps the interfaces sharp, with a remapping‐free ALE‐type kinetic method within each single material region, where the kinetic method is based on the BGK (Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook) model. Within each single material region, a numerical flux formulation is developed on moving meshes from motion of microscope particles, and the mesh velocity is determined by requiring both mesh adaptation for accuracy and robustness, such that the grids are moving towards to the regions with high flow gradients in a way of diffusive mechanism (velocity) to adjust the distances between neighboring cells, thus increasing the numerical accuracy. To keep the sharpness of material interfaces, the Lagrangian velocity and flux are constructed at the interfaces only. Consequently, a BGK‐scheme‐based ALE‐type method (i.e., the MMBGK scheme) for multi‐material flows is constructed. Numerical examples in one and two dimensions are presented to illustrate the accuracy and robustness of the MMBGK scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A computationally efficient 3D finite‐volume scheme for violent liquid–gas sloshing

We describe a semi‐implicit volume‐of‐fluid free‐surface‐modelling methodology for flow problems involving violent free‐surface motion. For efficient computation, a hybrid‐unstructured edge‐based vertex‐centred finite volume discretisation is employed, while the solution methodology is entirely matrix free. Pressures are solved using a matrix‐free preconditioned generalised minimum residual algorithm and explicit time‐stepping is employed for the momentum and interface‐tracking equations. The high resolution artificial compressive (HiRAC) volume‐of‐fluid method is used for accurate capturing of the free surface in violent flow regimes while allowing natural applicability to hybrid‐unstructured meshes. The code is parallelised for solution on distributed‐memory architectures and evaluated against 2D and 3D benchmark problems. Good parallel scaling is demonstrated, with almost linear speed‐up down to 6000 cells per core. Finally, the code is applied to an industrial‐type problem involving resonant excitation of a fuel tank, and a comparison with experimental results is made in this violent sloshing regime. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.